The five species classified as "Critically Endangered" in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are Bittern, Wattled Crane, Whitewinged Flufftail, Rudd's Lark and Blue Swallow.

The Bittern - Botaurus stellaris- is a thickset heron with bright, pale, buffy-brown plumage covered with dark streaks and bars. It is usually well-hidden and solitary. They walk stealthily seeking fish, frogs, small mammals and insects. It suffered catastrophic decline during the 20th century due to wetland degradation in South Africa.

The Wattled Crane - Bugeranus carunculatus - is the largest crane inAfrica and is the second tallest species of crane in the world. It occurs in eleven sub-Saharan countries in Africa, including an isolated population in the highlands of Ethiopia. More than half of the world’s Wattled Cranes occur in Zambia, but the single largest concentration occurs in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Destruction, alteration, and degradation of wetland habitats constitute the most significant threats to the Wattled Crane.

The White-winged Flufftail - Sarothrura ayresi - is a very rare African bird. It has an seemingly disjunct range, being found north of the equator in Ethiopia, and south of it in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The only breeding records are from highland marshes of central Ethiopia. The species is severely threatened by habitat loss, causes of which include grass trampling by cattle, and grass cutting and drainage of swamps for pasture. Regulated land management could improve the situation markedly.

The Rudd's Lark - Heteromirafra ruddi - is a species of lark which is Endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The Blue Swallow - Hirundo atrocaerulea - is is a small swallow, adult birds have a highly lustrous dark metallic steel-blue appearance with long tail streamers, which are particularly noticeable in males. It breeds in Southern Africa, wintering in Uganda and Kenya. This bird breeds in montane grassland, preferring high rainfall, undulating areas. The major threat is destruction of its habitat at both its breeding and wintering sites.